The American Heart Association has changed their recommendations on the use of antibiotics prior to dental and medical procedures. Patients with mitral valve prolapse or regurgitation or rheumatic heart disease no longer need antibiotics prior to dental procedures. New research has found that endocarditis is more likely to occur from bacteremia due to routine activities like brushing and flossing than from a dental procedure. The new emphasis will be on good oral hygiene instead of prophylactic antibiotics.
This is a dramatic change in protocol and reverse a policy that has been in place for decades.